Wow. Wow wow. This was my first “lady knight” book and it did not leave me disappointed. I also enjoyed the different magic system. In this book magic requires two. One to have the power inside of them (the well/hand) and one who is capable of using the magic (the mage). A careful balance.
After the Island of Locke vanished nearly 20 years ago everyone believed all of the heirs to the nation of Locke had died with their island. Little did they know the true heir to Locke was not only still living, but was a well respected Hand in another nations army.

This book includes:

Friends-to-lovers
Grey has really been in love with Kier since childhood but has always felt the love was unrequited. Too afraid to say anything.

Would do anything / die for you

Queernorm world

Found family
While on a quest to return another nations lost daughter Grey becomes closer to those around her than she ever thought possible. Trust did not come easily to her. She was much more comfortable keeping everyone at arms length.


Over all I truly enjoyed this book and it had me feeling all the feelings.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for sending me this arc

This was EXCELLENT. One of my favorite reads of the year so far. I loved the writing style, somewhat restrained but still beautiful. I enjoyed the slow unfurling of the world building, following the FMC's slow reveals of her secrets. The friends-to-lovers is not a favorite trope of mine but it worked really well here. The magic system was very strange but not in a bad way. Super curious to see where the series goes next because the story of the two MCs wraps up pretty well at the end, and it didn't seem like we were setting up any of the secondary characters to focus on next. Also that COVER.

The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I was absolutely stoked to receive an ARC, followed shortly after by a physical ARC that took my breath away. I love audiobooks, but this is one of those rare times where the text version is a full experience in itself. The beautiful cover, the title pages, the logo that I’m sure will be tattooed on fans’ arms, everything has been designed with such care. Even before diving into the story, it’s clear this is going to be a standout physical book.

The novel is split into distinct parts, with epigraphs interspersed throughout that are so rich in tone and myth they could be their own prequel novella. The early chapters build the dynamic between the two leads, Locke and the mysterious Grey. It’s a mutual, symbiotic relationship, but it carries the ache of imbalance. One side clearly wants more. The structure of the storytelling itself is a "time seesaw," a term the author uses that fits perfectly. It allows you to understand these characters intimately across shifting moments.

While the central quest is established early, it’s the execution that makes it shine. I guessed a twist, but it didn’t lessen the impact. The way it unfolded was just so satisfying. Grey is a phenomenal character, fierce and introspective, “just as capable with the inside of him as she was with the outside.” The worldbuilding is paced perfectly. I often found myself wondering about a detail, only to have it explained just when I needed it.

Kier was a standout, instantly lovable. As an ex-land surveyor, I can also say his thoughts on cartographers are correct. We are, lol.
The fireboy imagery, the handwritten notes, the shifting tone of the Ghostwood sequences, all of it made this feel like something crafted, not just written. Every element had an intention.

I can’t recommend this enough. It’s haunting, beautiful, and brilliantly built. A book to read, reread, and display when I get my hands on an inevitable special edition.

One of my most anticipated books of 2025 ended up being one of my worst reads of the year.

Less of a “for fans of Gideon the Ninth” and more “characters and dialogue directly lifted from Gideon the Ninth.” This book is a romance, full-stop, and one that doesn’t feel earned at that. It’s not a believable love story, and there’s no character growth: we just cycle through the same personal conundrums over and over.

This book tells instead of shows, and that makes it feel too fast-paced and underdeveloped. It could have easily been two books, almost split cleanly down the middle, if time and care had been taken to build up these characters and this world. Plot and character motivations genuinely do not make sense most of the time, so we should have spent more effort thinking those through as well.

As someone who was super hyped for this book because of the Gideon comparison, I’m left feeling insulted on Gideon’s behalf. The Second Death of Locke is half-baked, ridiculous, and nonsensical.

This book has incredibly immersive and atmospheric writing, and a significant amount of yearning. Grey and Kier are codependent and obsessed with each other, and I loved their dynamic. The magic system is interesting, but the world-building was light enough that I could put the book down for some time, and still be sucked right in the next time I picked it up.

There were several elements that I was concerned would be dragged out for the sake of drama and tension. I was pleasantly surprised that the story never pushed those situations too far for my enjoyment. On the flip side, in the second half of the book, there were a few moments where solutions were being handed to the main character on a silver platter almost immediately after a problem was introduced. The focus on the impact of these events on the characters and the difficulty that remained from these imperfect solutions meant that the story remained engaging, but it did feel overly convenient at times. I also would have enjoyed some deeper exploration of the politics of this world and its systems of power—I'm a bit skeptical of any story that centers on monarchy without critiquing it.

There were some ways in which this world lacked some substance, but the characters and the plot were engaging enough that this was still a really solid read for me.

This is one of those stories I wish I could reread for the first time again right after completing it. From chapter one alone I felt so immersed in the world and its characters. The magic system held such a unique capacity, and only added another level of closeness between the two main characters. The idea of a Mage who can manipulate certain abilities to their benefit yet only by tethering to an individual known as a Well of power is so unique in its own right. I could read a handful of stories formed around the idea alone, and the author’s way of expressing these complex concepts is so fascinating to explore.
The writing was so beautifully crafted, and I found myself unable to put the book down for the last forty percent of it as the plot kept opening new doors to the characters backstory. I definitely recommend this if you are a lover of Arthurian themes, or just any tale that revolves around a courageous and selfless lady knight.
As for the characters Grey and Kier, their story was concluded perfectly to me, I miss them already— along with their years full of oblivious yearning for one another.
Much praise to The Second Death of Locke, as I feel its words have encompassed my very being and all its reasons as to why I love storytelling.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Kier is a mage and Grey has dedicated her life to him, whether on the battlefield or off. Kier uses the strength deep inside of Grey, who also is the heir to the lost island of Locke. The island is the root of all power and magic, and so if anything happens to Grey, the power and magic go with her. With their nation at war, and a quest to protect a child of a kingdom that is the enemy, Grey and Keir must make some difficult choices to protect themselves.

I loved the dynamic between Grey and Kier. Grey is the picture of strength, and Kier gives her room to wield that strength, but also allows her an equal footing in their relationship. They truly were a partnership, and that came across very deeply within the writing. I also enjoyed the world building in this book, and am super excited that this is the first book in a series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever/Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Second Death of Locke is a beautifully written, emotionally charged romantasy that delivers on all fronts—world-building, character depth, and slow-burn tension. From the first page, I was immersed in a dark and haunting world where magic is fading, and those who wield it are bound by devastating consequences.
Grey and Kier’s bond was the emotional anchor of the story. Their connection—both magical and deeply personal—created a constant sense of longing and heartbreak. The magic system, built around wells and mages, felt fresh and morally complex, and the stakes never stopped rising. The prose is lyrical without being overwrought, and the pacing, while deliberate, never dragged for me.

I have conflicting emotions about this read and had a hard time determining how to rate it as a result. On the one hand, the premise and plot line felt wholly original and unique. The main characters were mature and, while flawed, weren’t complete idiots (which is honestly a breath of fresh air). However, I had some issues with the pacing, the magic system, and the lack of suspense.

I love the idea of female knights. It’s a reversal of the usual roles where she’s protecting him instead of vice versa. I also appreciate a TRULY grumpy female main character. Grey is not easy to get along with and she holds grudges with everyone. At first I thought the romance subplot with Kier was boring, but it slowly grew on me. Their relationship felt comforting and founded in friendship through their shared childhood.

The magic system was intriguing but very vague which left me with a lot of questions.
What is a typic? What are the limitations amongst magic? How exactly do the mages cast? Is it with spells or gestures or what? Near the end of the book, Kier’s castings are described as gold. My first thought was, were they colored before?? Are all castings colored?? I liked the concept that wells can’t be harmed by magic and that you have to draw power from the source (aka the wells).

One of my main pet peeves is when authors tell you about events off-page. I want to read it happening in real time, not learn about it in dialogue or mentioned after the fact. Particularly Grey and Kier’s relationship with the side characters develops this way. We don’t see the friendship grow amongst them except through an after-the-fact short montage. It didn’t feel earned or genuine, especially after the beef that Ola and Grey had. We’re not even told they had much of a conversation about what happened but suddenly all is well and forgiveness was granted I guess?? I loved the side characters so would have loved to read the genuine interactions where walls came down and trust was built.

My last complaint is the lack of suspense. There was a ton of action within the plot, but it all felt anticlimactic and at times boring. The book held my interest but I felt no sense of urgency to keep reading.

Overall I enjoyed this read and am looking forward to potential sequels, however there are definitely things that bugged me that hopefully will be ironed out in future novels.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book really blew me away. The characters, world, lore all kept me fully invested and I really found myself rooting for these characters. I ABSOLUTELY ate this up. Could not put it down, desperately waiting for the follow up.

Thank you Netgalley for the Arc!
I genuinely enjoyed this book. Great, lovable set of characters. I got so immersed in this book I binged it in one day! It has a very interesting and refreshing magic system, it was nice to see something new to me. I will say some plot seemed a little predictable to me but that did not take away from it for me. If you are a sucker for yearning like me this is a book for you :)

✨ 5 stars | friends to lovers | epic fantasy | Year of the Lady Knight supremacy ✨

Oh my god, this book. THIS. BOOK. I don’t even know how to begin articulating how deeply The Second Death of Locke got under my skin in the best, most soul satisfying way possible. This is the kind of story that feels like it was written for you. The kind you finish and immediately want to reread, just to live in the world a little longer. It’s easily a top contender for my favorite book of the year, and I’m not sure I’ll stop thinking about it any time soon.

Let’s start with the trope that has always owned me: friends to lovers. Specifically, the kind of slow burn where the emotional intimacy is already established, the bond unshakeable, and yet the tension (the denial, most of all) is excruciatingly delicious. It’s not often we get to see this dynamic in fantasy romance, and when we do, it’s rarely done this well. But The Second Death of Locke doesn’t just use this trope but it perfects it.

Grey and Kier are everything. A knight and a mage, tethered together by magic and history and trust and this impossibly rich undercurrent of yearning that bleeds into every interaction. They’ve known each other since childhood. They’ve fought battles side by side. They share power, literally. Grey is Kier’s well, a magical reservoir he draws strength from. And yet… there’s this deep, emotional ache at the core of their relationship that goes beyond duty and partnership. It’s love. Fierce, quiet, steadfast love. The kind that feels both foundational and terrifying.

From the first chapter, I was completely hooked by their bond. The glances, the subtle touches, the way they orbit each other without ever quite colliding; it’s everything I love about a slow burn romance. Grey’s inner conflict, her fear of crossing that invisible line and losing Kier was so raw, so real. And Kier… oh my heart. Kier is gentle, devoted, endlessly respectful of Grey and her strength. His love for her is obvious in every choice he makes, even when he doesn’t say the words. They would die for each other, no questions asked and that level of mutual loyalty had me absolutely gone for them.

Grey herself is such a standout FMC. I adored her strength, her pain, her protectiveness, and the vulnerability she tries so hard to bury. She’s layered, complicated, and incredibly compelling. Officially, she is my favorite lady knight. Period. Kier is her perfect match because he is emotionally intelligent, tender, and willing to fight tooth and nail to protect the people he loves. Their dynamic is beautifully codependent in a way that makes sense given the magic system and their shared history. It’s intimate and aching and real.

Speaking of the magic system… WOW. The concept of wells and mages is fascinating, and it plays such a key role in not only the plot but the emotional framework of the story. It’s a blend of hard and soft magic where rules exist, but there’s a sense of mystery and discovery woven into it. Grey is still learning what she’s capable of, and watching that unfold alongside her relationship with Kier and the unraveling of her past was just masterfully done.

The worldbuilding is so well done. You can feel the age of this world, the layered politics, the complex history of magic and its decline. I loved how it never felt overwhelming or info dumpy but instead, Bovalino reveals the world in these perfect little fragments: in letters, in quotes from in universe books, in flashbacks and folklore. It’s elegant and immersive and makes the setting feel lived in. And while the politics and mystery are rich and compelling, it never loses sight of its emotional core. At the heart of everything is love: between Grey and Kier, yes, but also in found family, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Oh, and the found family? PERFECTION. I was not expecting to fall in love with the side characters the way I did, but every single one of them brought something special to the table. They feel real. I adored their camaraderie, the banter, the way they had each other’s backs. I would absolutely go to war for this little crew. Please let me be part of this group.

Another thing I deeply appreciated: this is a queer normative world. There’s a range of queer identities and relationships represented, all seamlessly integrated and written with warmth and care. It’s never a plot point or spectacle but it’s just the fabric of the world, and it’s beautiful.

If I had to nitpick, I know some others have mentioned pacing concerns or feeling a lull in the middle. Personally? I didn’t mind. The slower sections gave space for character introspection and relationship development, and I genuinely enjoyed the moments of quiet in between the action. That said, the last third does ramp up in intensity, and the emotional payoff? Devastating and perfect. The ending left me both satisfied and desperate for book two. I’m still emotionally reeling!

🗡️ Queer normative world
🗡️ Knight/mage bond with real emotional depth
🗡️ Slow burn, friends to lovers with all the yearning
🗡️ Found family that will steal your heart
🗡️ Original magic system that ties directly into the romance
🗡️ Themes of sacrifice, love, legacy, and freedom
🗡️ 1.5🌶️ emotionally loaded, open door, very earned

Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this wonderful book. Whoever greenlit my request, I owe you my life. This is the kind of story that lingers. That makes you ache. That makes you feel. I’ll be thinking about Grey and Kier for a long time, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes.

Long live the Year of the Lady Knight. Long live The Second Death of Locke.

Objectively, I think The Second Death of Locke a good book, but maybe just not the book for me.

It's got a lot to love: lady knights, queer normative world, unwavering loyalty between the main couple, a sprinkle of found family, mages and their power sources sharing a bond (!!). I enjoyed the world-building overall and found the idea of Locke interesting.

However, the main characters both fell a bit flat for me. I wish the conflict keeping Grey and Kier apart had been something more substantive, rather than the frustrating insecurity Grey exhibited. To the author's credit, Grey's flaws do make her a decent character overall, especially in combination with her backstory. Kier is simply too perfect to be interesting. Their banter was pretty good though!

Another issue I had was the lack of creativity in how the magic was used, especially past the first half of the book. The different focuses of magic that mages have is an interesting idea, but it felt underutilized. I didn't feel like the world was built around people's ability to do magic but rather that magic was inserted into an existing world.

I think the plot was overall satisfying, although the front half of the book is a bit stronger than the back. The conflict with the other nations at the end of the novel wrapped up very quickly and neatly, but in my opinion, that's better than dragging it out. The book is well-written overall, with good prose and pacing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Oh my gosh did I love this world!!! I have been keeping my eye on this release for a while and I was absolutely beside myself when I received the arc in the mail. Forever Publishing, THANK YOU. Quite literally I think this made my whole year. Whoever had pity on my comments and emails about this book, ILY.

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.

The Second Death of Locke is an epic fantasy with a heavy side of romance following a (very codependent) knight and mage with an intimate magic system. The world is gritty, bloody, and captivating.

Our main characters, Grey and Kier, share a close bond and intimate magic/power draw relationship that is amplified by their long term friendship. The dedication, dependency, respect, and love between our two MC's was so good. I adored the bond between the two of them.

The slow build from friendship to lovers was done so well and from the very beginning you could FEEL the underlying love (yearning) and understanding of each other that comes from a long term friendship dancing around the edge of romance.

Found family is one of my favorite tropes in a book and I was completely sold on our little crew and their quest from the get go. Every side character felt genuine and lovable in their own way. Their loyalty to each other runs so deep it makes you love them even more.

The world building itself was easy to follow and was so rich in history and has set a solid foundation for the rest of the trilogy. There is so much to explore in the world and within the power dynamics (new and old). I'm very intrigued to see what comes next!

Love, Loyalty, and sacrifice are heavy themes that really shine throughout the whole book. This book hurt so good and it's definitely going to take some time to get over this one. How am I ever going to move on from Grey and Kier in book two?!

Thank you so much to Forever publishing for this gifted arc - all thoughts and opinions are my own. I don't like to dive too far when I review arcs as to not risk spoilers but I'm stuck between wanting to scream to everyone about this book and also to keep the details locked down tight lol.

I highly recommend adding this to your Fall reads. This quick little review barely scratches the surface of everything that I loved about this book and it is one of my favorites of the year so far. 2025 is indeed the year of the lady knight and I am so here for it.

4.5/5

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Sixteen years ago, the Isle of Locke was destroyed, and with it the root of all magical power. Ever since then, the supposed last surviving member of the Locke family line has been in hiding - and the countries of Idistra have been at war with each for the control of power and magic that has been slowly dwindling. At the beginning of the book, we meet Grey, a knight and healer, who has been fighting this war for the better part of her life. She is dedicated to her country, but more so to her captain and childhood best friend, Kier. When their troops take hostage a young girl who is claiming to be the Locke heir, Grey and Kier are tasked to deliver her into enemy territory. However, the girl isn’t who she says she is. How does Grey know? Because she has plenty of secrets of her own.

THE SECOND DEATH OF LOCKE is a beautifully romantic, heartbreaking and intimate book delivered as an epic quest story. VL Bovalino really succeeds at the friends to lovers storyline - the intimacy of knowing someone so well and so long, that the idea of taking a step towards something more is terrifying and so real. The found family that blooms alongside the slow-burn romance was also well done, and I think both do a fantastic job at providing moments of silence and comfort in between the epic action scenes.

I really, really enjoyed the magic system. I found it so unique and cool, and on top of that it really supported the romance in a way that felt organic. They do come across as very codependent, but for this couple I think it worked well. It felt like the magic system was almost hard magic, almost soft magic. I think this was a purposeful choice from the author, as magic is dying in this universe and not universally practiced - Grey was constantly discovering new things she could do throughout the book. It looks like there will be at least one more book in this series, so I’m looking forward to more development in the magic system.

Another thing I have to mention is how VL Bovalino approached her world building. Never did I ever feel like this book was info dumpy. She utilizes flashbacks so well. It gives the reader so much information about the politics and the magic, while also giving the characters so much more depth and making their relationships with each other much more realized. I know the romance is going to be the thing that sells the book, but familial love and love for your friends is just as strong in this story.

That being said, I’m knocking off half a star for a couple reasons. There were times when I felt the pacing was slightly off. For the most part I really enjoyed the slow pace, but I would’ve preferred if we spent more pages on developing the friendships (which felt a little rushed in my opinion) instead of describing Grey going about her day-to-day business. Another thing, there was a main character who I really started to enjoy in the first half of the book but was very underutilized by the end. I’m hoping to see more of them in the next book. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I’m really looking forward to the next one! In the meantime, I will be diving into VL Bovalino’s backlog.

THE SECOND DEATH OF LOCKE comes out September 23, 2025!

The magic system is unique and the world is complex. There is action most of the time, but for some reason this took me a little longer to finish than normal, and I think it was because of the romance aspect in the first 50% of the book.

When we are shown the past it feels very natural and at a perfectly placed time by adding to the story and helps keep it moving.

I did love how tender Kier is toward Grey and it feels apparent to me that he cares deeply for her.

I guess this could be classified as a slow burn, but I do wish there was a gradual increase in the main character's relationship. They start off very affectionate, so there isn't room left for building for the reader to experience.

The mentions of unrequited romance feels repetitive, and though this isn't YA, Grey's constant pining and insecurities definitely gives it a YA tone. Also, since they are so affectionate, it made it hard to buy in and believe the feelings were completely unrequited. I would have loved some tension.

Perhaps if this would have been first-person narrative and single pov for Grey's perspective then the doubts wouldn't have felt as forced because then we would only know her thoughts and see only what she sees.

And even with all of that said, I still felt excited when they got together, and once their relationship shifted from friends-to-lovers it was much more enjoyable.

The second half of the book is where I really started to love this. Not only did the story pick up, but the side characters shine more too, and though they are present before then, they start to become people I feel connected with. Grey and Kier are really loveable here, their relationship is so sweet.

It appears like this is supposed to be a trilogy, but the book felt pretty wrapped up and I'm not sure where or what would even be in the other books unless they are interconnected and not necessarily a continuation. I did like the ending, and that epilogue is too cute.

This was a solid fantasy romance with a well developed, angst-filled friends to lovers plot set in a queer-norm fantasy world. There's a lot to love here, and I expect fans of Rebecca Ross and Sarah J Maas will eat this up.

Let me start by saying I am *here* for the lady knight trend. I am and always have been a sucker for the pining and devotion offered by the knight/paladin trope, and The Second Death of Locke delivers in spades. From the outset, the casual intimacy between Grey and Kier sells their deep and unique bond as lifelong friends and mage/well duo while still leaving room (the tiniest gap, really) for our protagonists to wonder if their relationship could be something more. The author did an excellent job of making me care about the couple, and the tender moments between them really hit.

The world building will likely feel familiar to fans of the genre, though Bovalino's writing and the magic system keep it interesting and distinctive. It's grittier and a bit darker than other fantasy romance I've read recently, which I appreciated. I only wish we were shown usages of magic beyond military purposes, especially since keeping the magic alive is one of the major plot threads. It doesn't actually seem to be prevalent outside of battle magic, which made me question whether saving it was really worth it.

I had a hard time deciding what to rate this, because while I devoured the first 75% of the book, I found the ending unsatisfying. The beginning and middle of this book were great; the world and stakes felt fully realized, the pacing was exciting, the romance was romancing. But it lost a lot of momentum at the finish, feeling simultaneously rushed and lacking urgency. After most of the book was tightly scoped to Kier and Grey's travel party, the story broadens its focus in both lore and politics, and I don't think it quite managed to stick the landing. I ended up not being convinced by the resolution, and that unfortunately impacted my enjoyment of the story as a whole.

That being said, others will likely have different opinions on the ending, and I still confidently recommend this to fantasy romance lovers, especially those who enjoy slow burns and pining.

3.5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

The Second Death of Locke makes me feel like I am standing in front of a love picture painted with dark and tragic shades. This book will take readers on a journey to explore the boundary between love and sacrifice, between loyalty and finding oneself.

Review TLDR: This is the first book I’ve reviewed for you that I can say, unequivocally, that I think you need to read. It’s original in its execution of familiar themes, has characters that will feel like family, and has world building/pacing that is just the right side of comfortable while leaving you wanting more. I will be buying a copy of this book as soon as it comes out.

Overall: Why the glowing review? Let us count the ways: the FMC and MMC aren’t idiots who have to make dumb decisions to make a plot viable; the pacing is balanced between action scenes, recovery, and world building; the side characters are both meaningful to the plot (with their own relationships between themselves outside of their connection to Grey and Kier) and genuinely funny; the romance is delightfully free of “insta-lust” and centers on two people who already know each other’s flaws and love them dearly; and it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger. Maybe that last one isn’t as important, but I honestly don’t know if I have the strength in these troubled times to wait for this book to be published and wait for a sequel to boot. One note I have to mention: this book is not yet finished with the editing process and the errors can be distracting if you let them. Hopefully the publication team will have this all sorted out by the time it publishes in September. Guess I will find out when I buy a copy, huh?

Spice Level: 4/5 – Open door. Many details. Not for the youngsters ones among us, for sure. I think this may also be the first time I have read a scene written between two characters who are genuinely in love, rather than in lust, and the difference is remarkable. The romance is utterly earned, though I did shake my head at the thickheadedness of the FMC when she kept insisting to herself prior to the big moment that her feelings must be unrequited (seriously, the angst. The absolute angst). The MMC could not have been more obvious how head-over-heels he was the whole time. Problem is this MMC is a sweet, sweet cinnamon roll, not an arrogant shadow daddy, so he is equally delusional in his perception of her behavior towards him. Cracks me up a bit, honestly.

Pacing/Filler: There is some filler, but it is the best kind: the kind that teaches you more about the world you are in and the circumstances that got you there. Where would Avatar be without the Ember Island Players? Where would Dr. Bashir be without Section 31? We need this pacing to give us room to breathe between the bigger moments of the main plot, letting us stop and understand what those big moments mean to the characters and how they influence the choices yet to be made. Is the pacing perfect? No, of course not. But damn if it isn’t close.

Character Development: Usually this is the part where I say something snarky about how the FMC starts one way and ends another (or doesn’t, as the case may be). I think this time I will have to give my opinion in earnest: Grey is a fully matured character, fitting for one of her age, profession, and life choices. Is she without flaws? No, but those flaws are understandable and reasonable. Moreover, her arc shows her learning to let go of her pain and learn to trust others outside of the MMC in a manner that I think many trauma survivors will find cathartic. As for Kier, he does not have as much of a visible arc, but I think that is because the entire story is told from Grey’s POV and we do not hear his thoughts the way we hear Grey’s. I am genuinely impressed by the smoothness of the transitions Grey makes and the way she learns from her mistakes (mistakes that aren’t “the FMC did something stupid so we can have a plot, by the way).

As for the others, I found the side characters to be almost as interesting – and sometimes more entertaining – than the main pair. Ola and Brit are incredibly strong and don’t hold back when taking Grey and Kier to task for their stupidity. Eron’s cooking should come with a warning label. Sela is a sweet, very naïve girl who wants to do her best for her team. Attis the Commander and her Hand were everything I’d expect from veteran soldiers who just want to see another day. I liked that no one worshipped the FMC like she was somehow better than them, but we also don’t have to suffer from immature jealousies that exist only to force some drama. Kier and Grey’s older siblings are a wonderful influencing factor in their decisions, for all that they are not in the story themselves.

World Building: Full disclosure, I had to ask the author if she had ever spent time in the military prior to writing this book – because she nailed it. The sights, the smells, the constant tiredness but being unable to rest…even the way that nudity is handled is on point (for those who don’t know, modesty is a joke in a close-quarters army). The information given about the world isn’t given in massive chunks of exposition, but rather bits and pieces of relevant knowledge being passed between characters who realistically wouldn’t otherwise know the answers. The foreshadowing and layering of plot devices were excellent – the big reveals aren’t the secret heir (obviously) or anything so dramatic, but when they come, they hit you hard and leave you thinking “well, yeah. That makes sense.” I suspect when I go in for a reread one day I will catch even more things I didn’t think to put together.

Obvious Errors an Author/Editor Should Have Caught: As I mentioned above, this is an ARC and I want to make sure you all know that this book is still being worked on. That said, there are lots of grammar issues: run on sentences glued with commas, no Oxfords commas to be seen, random extra commas in the middle of sentences (I sense a theme here), sentences that should begin new paragraphs but don’t (e.g. when dialogue is complete you begin a new paragraph), etc.

One example of a grammar issue throughout the book: the author’s consistent use of colons when she needs to be using semi-colons. It shows she knows that a comma isn’t enough to convey her idea, but also that a period is too much if she wants the ideas to feel closely connected. To be fair, I get it; semi-colons are the scariest of all English punctuation marks. But still, they are what they are and the author would do well to get comfortable with them as they are absolutely the perfect means of conveying her ideas the way she clearly wants to convey them. I am not a part of the editorial team, but I hope that whoever is has a sturdy set of red pens. The ideas in this book and the language used to express them are amazing – the grammar just isn’t that the same level yet.

Bechdel Test Survivor: Yes indeed. The friendships Grey has with other women are meaningful and add a lot to the story outside of the main plot. I really enjoyed Grey’s dynamic with Leonie. Grey learning to trust Sela and Sela’s mother was also nicely done, given the circumstances they were in. But her learning to work with Ola, a fellow Hand who is as devoted to her mage as Grey is to Kier, was my favorite of the female friendships.

Content Warnings: Extreme violence, medical discussions (including a visceral surgery scene), and some implications of child abuse. No indications of sexual assault or abuse are in this novel.

Is the FMC/MMC Unfaithful: I think Grey and Kier would sooner jump into a bubbling lava pit than even think about it. That said, these are grown adults in a war zone, so they obviously have prior experiences and relationships that they carry with them into the beginning of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Second Death of Locke completely swept me away. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the unique and intricate magic system, and could not put the book down. V.L. Bovalino has a gift for world-building—every detail felt intentional, vivid, and deeply atmospheric.

What stood out most to me, though, was the unwavering devotion between the two main characters. In a genre where romantic entanglements often come with betrayal or forced conflict, it was refreshing—and honestly heartwarming—to see a relationship built on trust and loyalty. The connection between Grey and Kier felt genuine and grounded, and it added so much emotional depth to the story.

To say this book absolutely wrecked me would be an understatement. It was beautifully written—gut-wrenching yet somehow healing. I found myself rooting for Grey and wishing for a different kind of HEA for Kier… maybe there’s hope in the next book if we are graced with one!